purposeful

purposeful — adjective

1. behaving or moving in a way that shows you have clear goals and strong determina

1.形容詞B2
釋義

behaving or moving in a way that shows you have clear goals and strong determination to reach them.

例句

Hari walked with a purposeful stride toward the manager's office.

collocation: purposeful stride / purposeful effort

The construction team made a purposeful effort to finish the roof before the rains came.

同義詞
  • determined

    more common; describes a person's mindset, not just outward behaviour

  • resolute

    more formal; suggests unwavering commitment especially in difficult situations

  • driven

    informal; suggests strong inner motivation to succeed

  • decisive

    focuses on quick, clear decision-making rather than sustained effort

反義詞
  • aimless

    describes behaviour lacking any goal or direction

  • indecisive

    describes someone who struggles to make choices and act on them

文法句型

purposeful + noun

be + purposeful

用法筆記

Often describes movement, speech, or actions that convey resolve. Can describe a person's manner but not a person's internal state — 'she was purposeful' means her behaviour showed determination, not that she felt determined.

常見錯誤

❌Maja was purposeful to finish the report on time.
✅Maja was determined to finish the report on time.
💡'purposeful' describes the quality of actions or appearance, not a person's intention toward a specific task.
❌He walked purposefully quickly.
✅He walked with a purposeful, quick stride.
💡'purposeful' is an adjective modifying nouns, not adverbs. Use 'purposefully' as the adverb form.

2. having a clear aim that gives something real value or importance, especially whe

2.形容詞B2
釋義

having a clear aim that gives something real value or importance, especially when talking about work, life, or activities.

例句

Rachid wanted to find a more purposeful career, one that helped people directly.

collocation: purposeful career / purposeful life

After retiring, Linh joined a community garden and felt her days were finally purposeful again.

同義詞
  • meaningful

    broader; covers personal emotional significance, not just goal-oriented value

  • worthwhile

    focuses on the outcome being worth the effort

  • significant

    emphasises importance or impact rather than having an aim

反義詞

文法句型

purposeful + noun

feel + purposeful

find + noun + purposeful

用法筆記

Strongly associated with life, work, and relationships. 'Purposeful' in this sense goes beyond 'useful' — it implies that the activity or role serves a deeper aim and feels personally significant.

常見錯誤

❌This document is very purposeful.
✅This document serves a useful purpose.
💡'purposeful' describes activities or roles, not physical objects or documents.